Bond set at $200,000 for man accused of firing into New London crowd

New London — The man accused of firing three rounds in the direction of the crowds leaving the bars Sunday morning was arraigned Monday in New London Superior Court.

Javier Muniz, 25, of no certain address, was placed on a $200,000 bond and will be held until his next court date on July 16 if the bond is not posted.

Muniz was charged Sunday with interfering with police, criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm under the influence of alcohol or drugs and two counts of first-degree assault. He has a lengthy arrest record.

Around 2 a.m. Sunday, New London police officer Jeremy Zelinski was walking through the municipal parking lot in the area of 74 Green St., directly behind the Bulkeley House, and heard what sounded like a gunshot, according to the police report.

Following the sound, Zelinski saw "commotion" and a group of people "dispersing and ducking" in the parking lot.

Zelinski was able to see Muniz "with his arm extended pointing the firearm in the direction of Eugene O'Neill Drive at a slight angle towards the ground as he was firing the two shots."

After a brief foot chase, the report said, Zelinski found Muniz trying to hide in the shrubbery between a wooden fence and a chain link fence on 113-119 Green St.

Zelinski instructed Muniz to show his hands, which he did, stating "I don't have a gun, I don't have a gun."

Muniz then turned around and started running back in the direction of Green Street, the report said. Officers Michael Krodel and Adam Litwin followed Muniz while Zelinski stayed behind and searched the shrubbery. Zelinski found a .38 caliber Colt revolver, the report said.

Krodel then apprehended Muniz in the area where the shooting occurred.

Muniz admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana after police detected an odor of alcohol coming from his breath.

Gregory Celestin, 30, and Christopher Nolan, 27, were treated at the scene by the New London Fire Department for minor injuries, possibly from shrapnel after a bullet hit the pavement, police said. Police said Celestin and Nolan were uncooperative.

In addition to the revolver, police recovered three .38 live ammunition rounds, three spent shell casings, one bullet fragment and 32 $50 bills that are suspected to be counterfeit.

In 2005, Muniz was arrested for first-degree burglary, second-degree robbery and violation of probation. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail, suspended after 20 months. He is currently serving the last year and six months of his five-year probation.

Police said a fatal shooting in Norwich about 30 minutes prior to Sunday morning's incident does not appear to be connected. A suspect in the Norwich shooting remains at large.